If you’re asking this question, something has probably been on your mind for a while.
Maybe your child’s pediatrician brought up ABA therapy at the last appointment. Maybe another parent mentioned it at school pickup. Maybe you’ve been quietly watching your child and wondering why some things feel so much harder for them than for other kids their age — and what, if anything, you can do about it.
You don’t need to have it all figured out before you reach out. But if you’re trying to decide whether ABA therapy is worth exploring, this checklist is a place to start.
A Quick Word on What ABA Therapy Is
ABA stands for Applied Behavior Analysis — the most researched and widely recommended therapy for children with autism. It teaches skills one step at a time using positive reinforcement, and it’s designed entirely around your individual child’s strengths, challenges, and daily routine. In Phoenix and across Arizona, it’s typically covered by AHCCCS and most private insurance plans at no cost to the family.
Now, the checklist.
Ask Yourself: Do Any of These Sound Like My Child?
1. My child has difficulty communicating their wants and needs. Whether they have limited verbal language, frequently cry or tantrum when they can’t express themselves, or shut down when frustrated — communication challenges are one of the most common reasons families seek ABA therapy.
2. Transitions are a consistent struggle. Moving from one activity to another — leaving the park, ending screen time, switching from play to mealtime — leads to meltdowns or significant distress on a regular basis.
3. My child struggles to connect with other children. They may avoid group play, seem disinterested in peers, not respond to social cues, or not yet understand how turn-taking and shared attention work.
4. There are behaviors that concern me or affect our family’s daily life. This might include hitting, biting, self-injurious behavior, aggressive outbursts, or significant rigidity around routines and sensory experiences.
5. My child has received an autism diagnosis and I don’t know what to do next. A diagnosis can feel overwhelming. ABA therapy is typically the first and most impactful next step — and in Arizona, it’s covered by AHCCCS and most private insurance plans.
6. My child is developing differently, and I want to understand why. You may not have a formal diagnosis yet — but something feels off and you want guidance. That is a completely valid reason to reach out.
If You Answered Yes to Any of the Above
You don’t need to check all six. One or two is enough to start a conversation.
ABA therapy is not a last resort or a sign that something is fundamentally broken. It’s a structured, evidence-based way to help your child build skills they can use for life — and it often unlocks things parents didn’t know were possible.
A Gentle Reminder
You do not need a formal diagnosis to contact us. You do not need to have insurance figured out. You do not need to know exactly what kind of help your child needs.
What you need is a willingness to ask the question — which you’ve already done by reading this far.
Why Bilingual Matters at Hope ABA
At Hope ABA Therapy, our team provides services in both English and Spanish. For families where parents, grandparents, or primary caregivers feel more comfortable in Spanish, this changes everything. Research is clear: children make more progress in ABA therapy when families are actively involved. And families can only be fully involved when they understand what’s happening — in the language that feels like home.
Hablamos español. Y entendemos lo que significa confiar en alguien para cuidar a tu hijo. (We speak Spanish. And we understand what it means to trust someone to care for your child.)
Take the Next Step — Whenever You’re Ready
Call us at (602) 277-3777 or fill out the form at hopeabaaz.com. We serve families throughout Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler, Tempe, Scottsdale, Glendale, Gilbert, Peoria, and the surrounding area. We respond within one business day, and the first conversation is always free.
Your child’s next step might be closer than you think.
References
- American Psychological Association. (2022). What Is Applied Behavior Analysis? https://www.apa.org/topics/autism/applied-behavior-analysis
- Autism Speaks. (2023). Applied Behavior Analysis. https://www.autismspeaks.org/applied-behavior-analysis
- Behavior Analyst Certification Board. (2024). About the BCBA Credential. https://www.bacb.com/bcba/
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Data and Statistics on Autism Spectrum Disorder. https://www.cdc.gov/autism/data-and-statistics
- National Institute of Mental Health. (2023). Autism Spectrum Disorder. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-asd